Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-26
LURAY CAVERNS.'
A visI7oa TO THIS GREAT HArUR IL
WONDER.
On the Road-En tsring the Cavs-3one
Of the Special Featurss-Ths
Drive.
Correspondence Of Tho Richmond Dispatch

tCorreeDon1once OF tho Richmond DispaNn.J
LuRAY, June IS. 1887.
ride In one OF the new passenger
coaches recently put on the Chesapeake aud
Ohio railroad route l. comfort which l.
greatly enjoyed by the travelling pubic.
1Dd the railrOsd company deserves credit
foradding these coaches TO their equipment.
The coaches ore finished IN hard Woo,
with very large windows, which enIole
The passengers to have better view III tue
healtbiul scenery along this popular route
'hau is possible from the ordinary ear. "A
party Ct us, Il few days since, LETT YOUR Guy
TO visit the widely known caverns o. Lu'
rsy, about which 50 much has been written.
Aud Yet not one half it, wonders aud beau
ties have been told. At Waynesbof0'
junction, in Augusta county, we took
The Sbenardoab-Valley railroad and riY.
'lied down what IL known as the
81 enandosh Valley. The country along
he sbenandoah.Valsy road is unsurpassed
Tor beautiful scenery. On either side OF
The road deep.blue mountains tower high
up into the clouds. For miles there are
undulsting valleys, through which many
sllyery streams run, along whose banks the
jersey and sbOrt.horn are seen drinking
The cooling waters. The wheat in this sec.
lion Of cur State is looking splendid, and Ia
now ripe Tor the harvest, the golden grain
promising large return TO the farmer.
Through all this country there II an mp.
pearance OF thrift and cultivation. The
amos ale rich, there are many nice farm.
house, and large and well-huilI barns.
AT LURAY.
At Luray, which Is the cOunty.selt OF
P,ge county, we left the ears. The next
morning we took 4 conveyance from the
Inn, and after short ride we reached the
famOus Luray CGyerns. AT the entrance
q the cave The LuTay Cave aud IIotel Com.
any have erected very pretty two-story
framed cottage. We entered this building
and were supplied with guide, who pre-
scented each OF Us with caudle.sttck con-
tanning two lighted candles. Thc cave Is
usually lighted by electricity, but the
machinery was ont Of order and could not
be used that cay. We were not sorry for
this, however, ~ the views were much
more enjoyable to Us by candle-hght.
INTHE CAVE.
We entered The cave single file, with orr
guide in front, who led us down long
flight OF stairs, and were soon within
Whist is known ~ the Entrance Hall. The
visitor Is at once filed with wonder at the
sight which meets his eye on every hand.
The beautiful formations OF stalagmtes and
Stalactltes stand out before you in their
beauty, and one asks himself The question,
"Wbat force bit nature could form such
wonderful sights a. these'"
We have not the time or space 10 speak
OF the many wonders Of the cave. Among
the first things which attract the attention
is Washington's Column, tluted staag-
mite twenty feet in diameter and thirty
feet in height, reaching from ceiling to
floor.
FLOwER.GARDgN.
Passing further on we reach the Flower
Garden, which would be more apprOpr'
ately called the vegetable garden. We
could see growing the cluillOwer, boets,
onions, and other vegetables, rs it were.
The Fish Market was capital represen.
tatioD cf real fish. We felt like taking one
in our hand.
Next we visited the Lake. Elm R1mbe,
ana Plu;O's Chasm, at the bottom OF which
latter is plainly seen the Spec,re-a tall,
y hitc.iluted stallctitc.
CRYSTAL SPRING.
We went OF the main avenue and got a
glimpse of the crystal Spring. The water
y clear and the bed is several feet from
the original floor.
The Giants Hall, the Angels Wing, the
Cathedral, and the Fallen Column next de-
mandcd our attention.
The Organ has very good imitation OF
pines, aud several OF them, when struck
with a wooden handle, give pleasing
sound.
The Banks OF the Rhine aud Ballroom
were much admired.
But 10 see and enjoy the beauties OF this
cave one should stay there several dly- aud
spend few hours each day viewing its va
rlOus chambers and nails.
There j. another very handsome attrac-
ton nj Luray which we must not fail to
mention.
TIE INN.
Luray Inn, enc of the best and prcttiest
,iluaied buildings for hotel that we nave
ever seen, Is butt IN the Queen Anne styl'
OF architecture. TIE visitor ascends 70 the
mn by means Of nicely lald-o1 walk
through beautiful grass lawn. continuing
irtcS and beds OF handsome flowers. The
ian il supplied With electric bells aud
lights. The Office, parlOrs, diniugroom'.
aud chambers are furnished in hand-
some style, while the table is sup.
piled with the best from eastern markets.
Mr.. George X. Mullin. the proprietor, j.
always attentive to the wants OF his guests,
and visitors 10 the clvcrns will tind here
all the comforts OF home. Mr.. Nulln il
int now finishing handsome wing, three
stories high. to TIE hotel. which viii ac-
over two hundred guests. the
rooms are nicely furnished, c1rpeted, aud
paptrcd, with dre-phcos in them, while
The bali, are also to be heated. These i'm
will be completed in tine fOr
the meeting u the New jersey Press As.o-
cation, they having engaged these rooms
Tor their use .he first week in july, and we
hear 40 eXcursiou is coming from your
ri'y, CLAY.